Ranking Snowstorms by NOAA

A federation of 46 societies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2010

EARTH Magazine: Ranking Snowstorms

Alexandria, VA — Today’s winter storm, expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic region, is being described as “historic.” But really, how do we know? Is just the total amount of snow important, or is it how it affects people? EARTH Magazine Online takes a special look at NOAA’s efforts to categorize snowstorms - similar to the rankings of other natural disasters - and to measure their effects on society.

Earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes all have a ranking system in terms of their severity. But snowstorms have always just been ranked in terms of inches that have fallen. Now a team of NOAA researchers is trying to change that. Read EARTH Magazine Online’s featured story at http://www.earthmagazine.org/ to learn about the three criteria scientists are using to rank snowstorms. What implications will this ranking system have in terms of predicting a major snow event and how local governments and communities react to such storms? Learn about this and more in EARTH.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in earth, energy and environment news with EARTH Magazine, available on local newsstands or online at http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geological Institute, EARTH is your source for news and perspectives on research, technology and policy that affect you every day.

Contact: Megan Sever sever@earthmagazine.org

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